• how the Society sets about its task
• contacts

HOW THE SOCIETY SETS ABOUT ITS TASK

The Society co-operates with the local authorities and voluntary organisations to achieve its aims. It works closely with the official “management” of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the AONB Service and the Joint Advisory Committee.  

But the Society operates throughout the Hills, not just the parts currently designated as AONB. The Society’s campaign for designation of the Hills as an AONB, achieved in 1972, was its first major success story. 

You can read a brief history of the Society.

To increase enjoyment and understanding of the Mendip Hills the Society:

• runs an extensive programme of walks, talks and visits
• helps to keep open the rights of way in the Hills
• encourages quiet access to the countryside
• publishes a newsletter, books and pamphlets
• sells books and pamphlets of local interest
• serves on the Strategic Traffic Action and Tourism and Recreation Advisory Groups of the Joint Advisory Committee.
• runs social events and competitions.
   

To help conserve and enhance the Mendip Hills the Society:                

• runs a Small Grants Scheme to encourage conservation objectives through the local community
• monitors development plans and the AONB management plan
• advises local authorities on key planning applications, with a special watch on quarrying
• occasionally acquires land to conserve its features and provide access - see Slader’s Leigh
• serves on the Planning Policy, Cheddar Gorge and Heritage Groups of the Joint Advisory Committee
• organises on-land surveys and conservation working parties.  Extensive work has recently been completed  at Smitham Hill, East Harptree.
• manages the work of operating a meadow (see own page) at Sladers Leigh, Winscombe.
• promotes extensions to the Mendip Hills AONB
   

To help promote the family of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty the Society:

• works with the AONB Association, other AONB societies and the Countryside Agency to further the role of the voluntary sector in AONB management.

Use this link to see the Constitution of the Mendip Society.

The Society is an associate member of the AONB Association, and is affiliated to the Council for the Protection of Rural England and the Civic Trust.

The Society’s Officers and Contact Points

MENDIP SOCIETY P.O.Box No. 1222, CHEDDAR, BS27 3WW   Chairman: Simon Whitmore 01275 474433 chair[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Vice Chairman: Graham Price 01749 840795 or 07977 290003 graham[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Hon Sec Bob Rischmiller 01934 820575 secretary[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Treasurer Marilyn Cattell 01934 742981 treasurer[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Communications: Press Officer Vacant   Newsletter Editor Peter Gearing 01934 862279 editor[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Planning & Policy: National policy on AONBs Richard Bull aonbpolicy[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Rights of Way Simon Whitmore 01275 474433 rightsofway[atmendipsociety.org.uk Planning issues in North Somerset Paul Harley 01934 842069 nsomersetplanning[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Planning issues in Sedgemoor District Stuart Laurie 01934 740275 sedgemoorplanning[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Planning issues in Mendip District   Graham Price 01749 840795 mendipplanning[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Planning issues in BNES Vacant   Planning issues in Somerset   Paul Harley 01934 842069 somersetplanning[at]mendipsociety.org.uk AONB Planning & Policy Paul Harley 01934 842069 mendipaonb[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Society: Events Co-ordinator   Gareth Jones 01934 843767 01934 842044 (fax) events[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Grants Officer Dick Hyde 01761 221403 grants[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Membership Caroline Way 01761 463950 membership[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Book Officer Dick Hyde 01761 221403 sales[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Sladers Leigh Reserve Judith Tranter 01761 462276 sladersleigh[at]mendipsociety.org.uk Webmaster Graham Price 01749 840795 graham[at]speleo.org.uk